Pakho Chau and Clara Lee Named as Rising Stars of Asia

(March 16, 2016, Macao) – The Asian Film Awards (AFA), organized by the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA), hosted a star-studded welcome dinner at Conrad Macao, Cotai Central tonight as a prelude to the gala awards event which will be held on March 17, 2016.

This year, the Asian Film Awards (AFA) is sponsored by Sands Resorts Cotai Strip Macao and The Venetian® Macao, with Cotai Water Jet as the official ferry operator. The ceremony will be held on March 17, 2016 (Thursday) at The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian Macao, one of the most luxurious entertainment venues in Greater China.

AFA is once again supported by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) along with the collaboration of various Macau organizations, including Macao Foundation, Macau Artistes Association, Suncity Group, Macau Group, MBL and Taipa Village who will jointly present “The 10th Asian Film Awards Welcome Dinner”, in order to welcome the honourable nominees, guests, co-organizers, partners, and industry representatives who will join us at this year’s Award Ceremony. Representatives of the three founding organizations of AFA, including Dr. Wilfred Wong Ying-wai, GBS, JP, President of AFA Academy and Hong Kong International Film Festival; Mr. KIM Dong-ho, Honorary Director of Busan International Film Festival; as well as Mr. Yasushi Shiina, Director General of the Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF & TIFFCOM), also attended the welcome dinner to celebrate the spectacular event.

This year, Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) for the first time will partner with the acclaimed U.S. luxury jewellery brand ‘Hearts On Fire’ to present the Hearts On Fire-AFA Special Awards to recognize the achievements of outstanding legends and icons in the Asian film industry. Two Rising Star of Asia Awards will go to Hong Kong singer-cum-actor Pakho Chau and Korean actress Clara Lee. Receiving his first movie award, Pakho started as a teenager modeling for many luxury brands, and he made his debut as a singer back in 2007. Pakho made his screen debut in Love Is Elsewhere in 2008, and soon took up various challenging leading roles. His roles as a fervent young doctor in I Sell Love, a cheating husband in S for Sex, S for Secret, and a billionaire in Love Detective made a lasting impression on his audiences. 2015 was a breakthrough for him and he was highly acclaimed for his role as Elephant Man a cold-blooded killer in Guilty, and recently, he created a theme song for My Wife is a Superstar.

Meanwhile, Clara had starred in many TV drama series since 2005, and made her big-screen debut in Five Senses of Eros in 2009. Her lively performance as a medical intern in the popular TV drama series Emergency Couple further strengthened her fan base. Clara also made a spectacular presence in Hong Kong by starring in her first action film Line Walker produced in Hong Kong, and Prince, in which she partnered with actors from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, which will also be in theatres soon.

At the end of the year, Macao will be hosting the first Macau International Film Festival with the support of Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA), further promotes and develops Asian cinema and its talents in the region.

Inaugurated in 2007, the Asian Film Awards celebrates excellence in Asian cinema through the annual presentation of awards to talents and films that make up the dynamic film industries of Asia. Awards night is a spectacular gathering of stars, celebrities, industry professionals and the media that highlights and publicizes the year’s achievements in Asian movies.

Presented in Hong Kong in its first seven years, the Awards moved to one of Asia’s fastest growing entertainment hubs, Macau, in 2014 – one step closer to its long-term plan of being held in different Asian cities to reflect its broad reach across the entire region.

Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA)

In 2013, three main Asian film festivals - Busan, Hong Kong and Tokyo - joined together to create the non-profit organization, the Asian Film Awards Academy to promote and develop Asian cinema and its talents. The AFA Academy highlights, strengthens and develops Asian film industry and culture through the annual Asian Film Awards, and several year-round initiatives including strategies for building regional and international audiences.

Members of the AFA Academy are drawn from all past nominees and winners of the Asian Film Awards. Members vote for the Asian Film Awards and also participate in various AFA Academy activities involving film professionals and audiences in Asia and around the world.

In 2015, the AFA Academy launched events and activities including the Masterclass Series, Journey to the Fest, Asian Cinerama and Young Film Professionals Program to promote, educate, inform and develop knowledge, skills and interest in Asian cinema among the industry, students and audiences in Asia and beyond. The AFA Academy expresses the increasing global importance and creative strengths of Asian films and aims to unite the industries and talents of the fast-growing region.

Sands China Ltd. is the leading developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The befittingly named Sands Resorts Cotai Strip Macao, situated on reclaimed land between the islands of Coloane and Taipa, is the one destination that provides a stunning array of experiences at the heart of Cotai. Sands Resorts Cotai Strip Macao has transformed a day-trip market into an integrated resort city and international hub for business and leisure travellers.

Pulsating with life, both night and day, Sands Resorts Cotai Strip Macao features an expansive offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macao, with approximately 9,000 hotel rooms and suites, international superstar live entertainment, duty-free shopping with more than 650 retailers offering an unparalleled array of name brands, 1.5 million square feet (140,000 square metres) of meeting and exhibition space for Asia’s leading conferences and exhibitions, transportation offerings and well over 100 dining options, including Michelin-starred restaurants, bars and lounges. Sands Resorts Cotai Strip Macao is a must-go destination providing every guest with an unforgettable experience and unparalleled excitement.

Opened in 2007, The Venetian® Macao is Macao's first integrated resort featuring stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet (111,000 square metres) of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat Cotai Arena designed for world-class sports events and electrifying entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment; more than 30 renowned restaurants; TAIVEXMALO Day Hospital & Spa; the incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 350 retailers at Shoppes at Venetian. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a mini-golf course.

For more information, please visit www.venetianmacao.com.

About Cotai Water Jet

Launched in November 2007, Cotai Water Jet is a premium high-speed ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao. As of December 2015, the maritime jet fleet has serviced more than 52 million passengers and in 2015 averaged approximately 89 daily sailings. Its 14 custom-built catamarans have the capacity to carry more than 400 passengers each and operate at top speeds of approximately 42 knots. Passengers on Cotai Water Jet have a choice of three classes of service as well as direct sailings between ports in Macao, Taipa, Hong Kong, Kowloon and Hong Kong International Airport, thus providing an important transportation option for both locals and visitors to Macao. The Cotai Water Jet service is managed and operated on behalf of owner Sands China Ltd. by Chu Kong High Speed Ferry Co. Ltd. of Hong Kong.

Taipa Village Macau
Taipa village, home to the Portuguese architecture, is the historical part of Taipa and the best preserved area in the south of the island. It seeks to be the new landmark in Macau – a dynamic leisure destination infused with niche shopping, innovative dining, diversified entertainments and heritage attractions. The cultural-blended destination defines an opulent mixture of heritage and modernity, where east meets west. It is a living village with real-life stories to tell – a place where people live and work, redefining the memories of the local residents who have witnessed the changes of the island over these decades. Visitors can taste a sumptuous selection of authentic cuisines, from local Chinese delights to continental flair infused with Portuguese and Spanish flavors. While being away from the glitz and vibrancy of the casinos resorts along Cotai strip, Taipa Village is only walking distance from the resorts which make traveling very accessible.